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Academics in

Majors 35 Programs

Bachelor of Fine Arts

On-Campus
On-Campus
Explore media and tools that give life to visual stories, characters, and environments. Develop your own distinctive style and voice. And, gain the professional know-how for careers in film, TV, game design, and beyond.
On-Campus
On-Campus
Create films that challenge conventional thinking, inspire action, or elicit emotion. With a strong foundation in technical skills—cinematography, sound design, lighting, and editing—turn your vision into a powerful story that you will produce and bring to the big screen.
On-Campus
On-Campus
Explore across media as you investigate the full scope of the visual arts. Divide your time between classrooms and studios where you’ll not only draw, paint, sculpt, and explore printmaking, but also read, write, and conduct research.
Turn your creativity, talent for technology, and love of video games into an exciting career in game design.
On-Campus
On-Campus
Get hands-on experience in print, motion, experiential, and interactive design. Gain the ability to think visually and present strategic design solutions to real-world challenges.
On-Campus
On-Campus
From visual narratives to character design, concept and editorial art, product and surface design, a bachelor’s degree in illustration offers you the possibility to create work that engages and excites.
On-Campus
On-Campus
Address the needs, emotions, and behaviors of users while solving complex design challenges that affect real people. Gain the skills and understanding needed to create information design, product interfaces, mobile apps, and more.
On-Campus
On-Campus
Explore traditional and new media in commercial studio, documentary, photojournalism, and fine art photography. Forge your own voice in the creative process as you learn to craft a photo from initial concept to final image.
On-Campus
On-Campus
Learn to tell stories and solve problems with visual and practical effects. Create believable visual narratives alongside industry trailblazers in the classroom and beyond. Also, build a well-rounded portfolio to enter careers in film, gaming, advertising, healthcare, or more.
On-Campus
On-Campus
To succeed in our contemporary visual landscape, art makers need to be able to express themselves in multiple ways. As a visual narrative major, you’ll develop a distinct visual language that draws inspiration from culture, politics, history, and more.

Bachelor of Arts

On-Campus
On-Campus
Study theory and history of the visual arts while creating your own from many different forms of media. Ideal for students who also want to take on a second major as there are fewer credits and studio requirements.
On-Campus
On-Campus
Investigate the natural processes and life cycles of plants and animals. Explore the world through its complex systems and see how all life is connected. Take the first steps toward a career in education, public and community health, science writing, and more.
Discover how race and ethnicity, gender, class, and culture shape families and communities and affect children’s learning and growth. Gain hands-on experiences and insights that prepare you to be an advocate for youth and families in need.
On-Campus
On-Campus
Whether you choose to focus on fiction, nonfiction, poetry, script writing, or writing for children and young adults, as a creative writing major at Lesley you’ll gain the tools, support, and experience to bring your vision to the world.
On-Campus
On-Campus
Gain a scientific understanding of nature, ecology, and biological diversity. Work alongside experts in climate change and urban ecology to address critical environmental problems.
On-Campus
On-Campus
Explore the most significant writers and works from American, European, and world literature. Tackle big questions about the human experience. Hone writing and communication skills that translate to success in a wide range of careers.
On-Campus
On-Campus
Discover a multidisciplinary approach to addressing environmental problems. Understand human effects on the environment by studying not only the sciences, but also philosophy, history, politics, and culture.
On-Campus
On-Campus
Explore how people and nations are connected. Work toward solutions to global issues, such as immigration, trade, and climate change. Transform your fascination with the world into a career in international business, law, education, and more.
On-Campus
On-Campus
In our bachelor's degree program in Health Science, you can complete all your pre-med requirements without majoring in a traditional pre-health program.
On-Campus
On-Campus
Trace the rise and fall of civilizations and draw on the lessons for today’s world. Translate your knowledge into careers in education, museums, journalism, and beyond.
Create a personalized plan of study based on your specific interests and chosen professional path. You can choose from areas of focus that prepare you for the job you want, including developmental psychology, human services, business management, and more. Through your chosen coursework, you’ll learn skills that make sense for where you want your career to take you.
On-Campus
Off-Campus
On-Campus
Off-Campus
Earn your Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in liberal studies with a completely customizable area of study. This is a perfect opportunity to design a program of coursework that is specific to your background or individual goals.
On-Campus
On-Campus
Examine real-world problems with an analytical eye and take action. Use math as a lens to examine global issues. Participate in important research with expert faculty. Gain skills for careers in computer science, data management, education, and more.
On-Campus
On-Campus
Mathematics is one of the most versatile majors today, allowing you to bring comprehensive quantitative skills and analytical abilities to a diverse range of occupations in a wide range of industries.
On-Campus
On-Campus
Gain an understanding of how government policies are made and carried out. Analyze different types of governments and their impacts on citizens. Prepare for a rewarding career in business, law, education, government, or communications.
On-Campus
On-Campus
Focus on society and the factors that define our place in it. Explore how individuals and groups are affected by race, class, gender, sexuality, and age. And gain the skills for a career in public health, community organizing, advocacy, and more.

Bachelor of Science

On-Campus
On-Campus
Grow as an artist and help others use their own creativity as a path to wellness. Our art therapy bachelor's degree program gives you the tools to improve people's abilities to cope, heal, understand, and relate to others.
On-Campus
On-Campus
Channel your curiosity about living into a career focused on healthcare and research. Graduate with the skills needed to continue onto medical, dental, or veterinary school, and a range of science-related professions.
The online Bachelor of Science in Design for User Experience program teaches you to create intuitive design experiences across products, services, and systems. Our hands-on curriculum is grounded in graphic design principles and puts people at the center of the design process. Through interdisciplinary, collaborative coursework, you can learn design skills to build out websites, mobile applications, product interfaces, and more. You’ll graduate with a portfolio that highlights what you’ve learned and shows employers what you can do.
On-Campus
On-Campus
Learn about our environment with a scientific perspective.
On-Campus
On-Campus
Discover how to engage people in creative processes that can free them from mental and emotional problems. Gain an understanding of the professional skills needed to guide others toward health and healing.
On-Campus
On-Campus
Explore the systems and organizations that serve communities. Channel your compassion and activism into a career helping people access the programs and services they need.
Online
Online
With a human services career, you can become a powerful influence for positive change, helping children, adolescents, and adults access the assistance and resources they need. Make a difference in your community with the online BS in Human Services from Lesley University.
With a human services career, you can become a powerful influence for positive change, helping children, adolescents, and adults access the assistance and resources they need. Make a difference in your community with the BS in Human Services from Lesley University.

Bachelor of Social Work

On-Campus
On-Campus
There are countless ways to use a social work degree to help put individuals, families, and entire communities on the path to living happy, productive, and meaningful lives. Let Lesley help find the one meant for you.

Minors 41 Programs

Minor

Gain a solid foundation in the conceptual and technical aspects of animation and motion media art. Learn from a variety of processes, including stop-motion, 3D animation, and traditional figure drawing.
Deepen your knowledge in the fine arts by studying artistic works and theory from a range of cultures, locations, and historical periods.
Explore topics in anatomy, animal behavior, botany, marine biology, and more. You’ll study in the classroom and also get hands-on lab experience.
Learn design, illustration, and photography methods as you develop ideas into complex book projects. Explore various kinds of storytelling and technical skills.
Expand your creative talents by studying technical design tools, methods, and theory. You’ll learn about studio habits, image making, visual research, typography, and the history of modern design.
Take courses and complete projects in video, motion, new media, and film. This minor is great way for you to add a cross-disciplinary approach to your art practice.
Explore geology, meteorology, hydrology, climate issues, oceanography, and/or astronomy. You’ll choose more focused study in areas that interest you, with many field-based options available.
Research and take lab-based courses in areas of biology, chemistry, earth science, and/or health. Your studies will focus particularly on the complex relationship between people and the environment.
Explore environmental issues from a broad perspective of human-environment interactions. You’ll also learn about environmental policy and activism.
Enhance your artistic skills in a specific area or gain experience in several different art forms. You’ll be able to practice drawing, painting, sculpture, and more during hands-on studio sessions.
Study the global processes that link politics, economics, culture, society, and the environment. You’ll develop the knowledge and tools needed to make sense of and shape the world as a citizen and future global leader.
Learn the biological aspects of health through courses in genetics, anatomy and physiology, nutrition, infectious diseases, epidemiology, and alternative medicine.
Learn the foundations of the technical and conceptual aspects of illustration. You’ll develop different techniques in focused areas, such as figure drawing, mixed media, and digital formats.
Take courses and create projects on new media, video, game production, drawing, visual books, and more. Ideal for adding a cross-disciplinary approach to your art practice.
Develop your ability to apply mathematics and quantitative thinking when analyzing problems, making decisions, predicting outcomes, and verifying results. You’ll take core classes in statistics and calculus, and choose from a variety of electives.
Explore traditional and digital photography techniques as you work with different media, like collage and sculpture. You can also choose to focus on specific genres, including photo noir, landscape and architecture, and portraiture.
Study the complex forces shaping the political world today with courses that focus on philosophical and psychological viewpoints.
Develop an understanding of the changing social world through a focus on the structure of society and social groups. You’ll also be able to get practical experience through service learning opportunities.
Online
Online

Masters 12 Programs

Master of Education

On-Campus/Hybrid
On-Campus/Hybrid
Bring your artistic skills to the classroom. Teach PreK-8 or 5-12 students how to think and learn through the creative process. Continue to develop your own work while discovering the latest in classroom practices, research, and art education.
On-Campus/Hybrid
Teacher Residency
On-Campus/Hybrid
Teacher Residency
Expand your content knowledge while gaining strategies for engaging students and preparing them for college and careers. Choose from English, history, math, biology, chemistry, earth and space science, physics, or social sciences, and become a highly effective licensed educator.
On-Campus/Hybrid
Teacher Residency
On-Campus/Hybrid
Teacher Residency
Learn the vital skills needed to teach middle school students English, general science, history, humanities, math/science, math, or social sciences.

Master of Arts

On-Campus
Low Residency
On-Campus
Low Residency
Promote healing through drawing, painting, sculpting, and other media. Learn theoretical and practical approaches to help people gain self-awareness and understanding. Become engaged with individuals, families, and communities to foster well-being.
On-Campus
Low Residency
On-Campus
Low Residency
Learn to use dance and movement to enhance communication and relationships and foster mental and physical wellness in clients. As a dance/movement therapist and mental health counselor, explore how dance can yield fresh insights and facilitate the healing process.
On-Campus
Low Residency
On-Campus
Low Residency
Facilitate change through improvisation and performance. As a licensed mental health counselor, use experiential techniques to help others become spontaneous and flexible in their relationships. Practice in schools, clinics, and community centers.
On-Campus
Low Residency
On-Campus
Low Residency
Learn from pioneers in the field as you train to become a licensed mental health counselor, whose practice integrates multiple areas of expression, including art, dance/movement, drama, and music. Choose from our on-campus or low-residency options.
On-Campus
Low Residency
On-Campus
Low Residency
Engage others in music making as a means to wellness. Use musical performance to instill confidence and collaboration. Prepare for careers in diverse settings, including at-risk youth, underserved communities, and clinical and educational centers.
Low Residency
Low Residency
Deepen your practice of mindfulness and bring its benefits into your professional and personal life. Gain an understanding of the mind-body connection, and discover the science behind contemplative practices. Prepare to help others live more fully.

Master of Fine Arts

Low Residency
Low Residency
Our MFA in Creative Writing nurtures and challenges your creative potential in one of six genres: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Graphic Novels and Comics, Writing for Stage and Screen, or Writing for Young People.
Low Residency
Low Residency
Pursue an MFA that’s rigorous yet individually tailored for the 21st century artist. The interdisciplinary focus of the program allows you to craft a course of study that integrates creative work into your daily life.

Master of Social Work (MSW)

On-Campus
On-Campus
Lesley’s Master of Social Work (MSW) is a distinctive program with a mission of emphasizing social justice, promoting client well-being, and serving and supporting a diverse range of vulnerable individuals, families, and communities.

License Only 1 Program

License Only

On-Campus/Hybrid
On-Campus/Hybrid
If you have an advanced art degree and need only a Massachusetts teaching license, this program will enable you to help PreK-8 or 5-12 students think and learn through the creative process. Develop your own work while discovering the latest in classroom practices, educational equity, assessment, and art education.

PhDs 1 Program

PhD

Low Residency
Low Residency
Transform individuals and communities through creativity, scholarship, and collaboration. Enhance your practice and become a leader in expressive therapies through this low residency doctoral program, which interweaves artistic expression and inquiry with a focus on research

Certificates 10 Programs

Certificate

On-Campus
On-Campus
Gain the knowledge and experience for a career in animation and motion media with our two-year certification program. To be eligible, you must have already completed a bachelor’s degree program.
On-Campus
On-Campus
Learn the ins and outs of graphic design through hands-on courses and internship experience with our two-year certification program. To be eligible, you must have already completed a bachelor’s degree program.
Online
Online
Develop and expand your Graphic Design skills with this online certificate in as little as 3 semesters. To be eligible, you must have already completed a bachelor’s degree program.
On-Campus
On-Campus
Earn professional certification in illustration after two years of specialized study and hands-on experience. To be eligible, you must have already completed a bachelor’s degree program.
Online
Online
Develop and expand your skills and knowledge in User Experience with this online certificate program in as little as 3 semesters. To be eligible, you must have already completed a bachelor's degree program.
Online
Online
Develop and expand your Web Design skills with this online certificate in as little as 3 semesters. To be eligible, you must have already completed a bachelor’s degree program.

Graduate Certificate Programs

On-Campus
On-Campus
Through our certificate program, discover how to integrate the healing power of creative expression into the care of patients in hospitals, health centers, nursing homes, and other settings. You’ll develop a range of skills that open new possibilities in healthcare, education, human services, social work, counseling, and more.
On-Campus
On-Campus
Explore the principles and practices of art, dance/movement, drama, music therapy, and more. Discover how these disciplines, known as expressive therapies, can be integrated into clinical work and build on your current professional practice.
Low Residency
Low Residency
Join a community of students and faculty who will support and guide you toward integrating mindfulness principles into your profession. Our program is especially useful for health and wellness professionals, social workers, counselors, educators, and those who wish to develop a practice of mindfulness and to share these practices with students, clients, and colleagues.

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study Programs

On-Campus
On-Campus
If you have an advanced degree in expressive arts therapy or a related field, and wish to gain in-depth training in the principles and practices of different modalities (art, dance, music, and psychodrama), this certificate program is for you.